Jennifer Garner Reveals Loss of ‘a Friend’ Who ‘Did Not Get Out in Time’ During LA Fires
Jennifer Garner is one of the many California residents affected by the devastating fires in Los Angeles this week.
The actress spoke candidly about her experience with the Palisades and Eaton fires, sharing that she tragically lost a loved one amid the destruction.
“I did lose a friend, and for our church it's really tender so I don't feel like I should talk about her yet,” Garner told MSNBC on Jan. 10 with emotion in her voice. “I did lose a friend who did not get out in time,” she shared.
Garner, who was interviewed alongside World Central Kitchen’s Chef José Andrés, said that her “heart bleeds” for those affected by the fires, including her friends. “I mean, I can think of 100 families, and there are 5,000 homes lost,” she said, noting that she “could just write out a list of 100 friends who lost their homes.”
She also shared that her “family’s church” is gone. “It’s where my kids went to Sunday school, we lit the advent candle together there a couple of weeks ago. We watched the little kids perform, it’s a preschool. It’s a central place for our community.”
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Her home was seemingly unaffected by the fires, something that Garner said made her feel “almost guilty.” She asked, “you know, what can I do? How can I help? What can I offer? What do I have to offer with these hands and these walls and the safety that I have?”
Garner joined forces with Andrés to volunteer with his organization to feed evacuees who fled the fires. “It is an incredible thing to watch World Central Kitchen and Chef José just come in and... ‘We've got this handled. Don't worry. We've got you,’” she said.
The actress, who works closely with Save the Children, said that the charitable organization is “mounting response. We’ll be in shelters helping parents and kids and keeping them safe,” explaining that they’ll “be here in a big way very, very soon.”
“I've lived in and around the Palisades for 25 years, so I think all of us, we want to get our hands into working, somehow, to be helpful,” Garner shared.
“In the worst moments of humanity, the best of humanity shows up,” said Andrés, explaining how his organization partners with restaurants, chefs, and volunteers in areas where disaster has struck to help feed all affected, including victims and first responders.
Next: How to Help Those Affected by the California Wildfires: Resources, Donations, More